Salina Central Falls Short Against Maize

A first half track meet settled in to a second half game hinging on ball control, as Maize edged Salina Central 34-28 on Thursday night at Salina Stadium.

In the first half, both defenses struggled to catch up with the fast-paced tempo of their opponent.

After Central punted on the opening possession, Maize scored first on a 24-yard pass from Connor Lungwitz to Kendall Stewart, putting the Eagles up 7-0.

Central answered back eight plays later, when JW Maldaner ran in for a score from nine-yards out, tying the game at 7.

Back came Maize, regaining the lead on Lungwitz’s seven-yard pass to Kavan Jobe, going up 14-7.

Central answered again with a seven-yard run by Maldaner to tie the game at 14 after one.

In the second quarter, Maize was threatening again when JaVon Burse intercepted a pass by Lungwitz at the Mustang five-yard line.

The Mustangs would score 12 plays later on Malik Veal’s three-yard run to lead 21-14.

Maize responded in two plays, scoring on Kendall Stewart’s 72-yard run on an end around. However, Burse blocked the extra point, leaving the Mustangs up 21-20.

Central would score for the fourth straight possession just three plays later, on Veal’s 40-yard scoring scamper to go up 28-20.

Maize punched right back, scoring on a two-yard run by Lungwitz. Again, Burse blocked the extra point as Central led 28-26 at halftime.

In the second half, Maize scored on the first possession on a 28-yard pass from Lungwitz to Tevin Davis, giving the Eagles a 34-28 lead after a two-point conversion.

The Mustangs looked to be on their way to an answer, but fumbled the ball away in the red zone. Maize would give it right back though on a fumble in the red zone.

Central would then go on a 13-play drive, going all the way to the Maize one-yard line, when Veal was stopped mere inches short of the goal line on fourth down.

Central would not threaten again.

Maize would turn the ball over on downs at the Central eight on the ensuing drive, but were then able to keep the Mustang offense in check, controlling the ball and field position over the final 8:34 of the game.